(Image source from: Petty criminals booked for murdering UNC professor})

Regular offenders, Derick Davis and Troy Arrington Jr., both in their 20s, who have been in and out of prison for various crimes like breaking and entering, weapon and drug crimes, have now been booked for murder.

Charged with first degree murder, Davis and Arrington could face life imprisonment or get death penalty if found guilty of murdering 59-year-old Feng Liu.

"There's no GPS monitoring device that can prevent someone from committing crime," said Orange County District Attorney Jim Woodall.

He believes the problem starts at the top, with the General Assembly pulling back on public safety resources. Woodall said he is limited in convicting and punishing people as habitual felons.

"Some people can still get very enhanced sentences," Woodall said, "but it's been reduced tremendously. And that's our legislature deciding that's not a priority -- that the resources don't exist."

Chapel Hill police say Liu's wallet and credit cards were stolen during the robbery and assault that ultimately led to his death. However, it's unclear if those credit cards were used in the hours before Davis and Arrington were arrested.

AW: Suchorita Choudhury